5 SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2018

With new technologies being invented and new features being launched on social media every other day, you have to update yourself on the latest marketing trends and find out what’s going to work for you in the future.

Studying the trends of last year, we have come up with a list of the most significant social media marketing trends for 2018.

Augmented Reality

With the iPhone 8 and iPhone X coming into existence, the doors to extraordinary augmented reality experiences have been opened.

This trend may initially start off with mobile gaming but it won’t be long before it takes to social media platforms, with Snapchat already teaming up with Bitmoji to allow users to project animated versions of themselves into the real world.

Companies will be able to showcase their products in new ways to the customers, like how a certain piece of furniture would fit in their living room, or a pair of sunglasses look on their face.

Instagram Stories

Over 50 million more people use Instagram stories than Snapchat, in the duration of just 1 year since the Instagram stories were introduced. (Source: statista.com)

Meaning nearly 50% of all Instagram users will be using Stories by the end of 2018. Brands can use this to their advantage by connecting with Instagram users by showcasing their company culture, processes, collections, schemes, etc.

The Stories not only allow you to add filters, tags, and text but also “Polls”, “Highlights” and “Swipe Up” have been introduced (for accounts with more than 10K followers) to add links which otherwise cannot be done on Instagram posts.

Here’s Havmor Icecreams & Koovs doing it right on Instagram Stories.

Chatbots for better CRM

Chatbots are useful in making real-time engagement with the customers. They efficiently provide 24/7 services to the customers. Chatbots are quicker than human beings in responding and taking requests.

53 % of consumers ages 18-34 said that they’d prefer to use electronic media – email, web chat, text or social – instead of the phone for customer support

79% are frustrated with their available customer support options

31 % said it was important for text to be an available support option (Source: HayWire Business Survey)

Micro-influencers (accounts with thousands and millions of followers) can have an incredible amount of reach.

Brands pay these influencers to promote their products. Studies show that influencer marketing delivers 11 times the ROIcompared to traditional digital marketing, and 49% of people suggest that they depend on influencers for their purchase decisions. (Source: impactbnd.com)

Companies like Ola and Amazon have used social media–based influencer marketing strategies to connect with new audiences and improve engagement with existing audiences.

Due to the struggle to connect with social media users through traditional advertisements, influencer marketing will play a key role in bridging the gap.

Here’s Amit Sadh marketing for Triumph bikes by documenting the entire road trip on an extensive path and varied locations covered on the bike – in posts, stories and by going live.

Live streaming helps brands stand out in crowded businesses, be a market leader and provide a cost-effective method to communicate a message to thousands.

Today, brands – big and small – have started using live streaming to capture the attention of followers.

The significance of live streaming is not from it gaining popularity, but rather from the technology we do it with that is improving. With better phones and hardware coming up, more accessible video recording and processing is possible.

In 2018, more brands will begin to harness the power of live streaming.

Ahmedabad based dance & zumba studio, Soul Studio by Priyanka, go live daily during their sessions showing different dance forms and exercises – capturing and delivering an immense amount of fun & enthusiasm in each class – serving as a medium to encourage more people to be a part of it.

Right now, the crux of social media is people more than technology, and hence it has become a big deal for businesses.A number of new social media trends that will impact users and brands alike are strengthening and accelerating. Additionally, Instagram and Snapchat will have more traffic as millennial social media users increasingly spend their time on such newer platforms.

5 SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2018 January 18th, 2018Sukruti Gajjar